Trails connect us—to other people, to the way our bodies move through mountains and forests, and to the very ground we ride. Trails are an extraordinary gift. We know it when we get out for a solo ride after work and when we meet new friends and old on the weekends. What would we do without trails? That’s the question. We’re getting too big, too many for the free-for-all. If we don’t change some of our behavior, we could very well lose access to the public and private lands we ride. Today we face a fork in the trail: either we start living by a set of shared values or the shit hits the fan.

The change we need to make is simple—feel the gift we’ve got a little more. We’re all grateful for this privilege, whether we are seeking silence in the mountains or finding our place in a community. By feeling grateful, we make mountain biking a force for good in the world. It’s our culture. Time to own it. Let’s hold ourselves and each other to account, and celebrate this gift.

Ride With GRatitude: Code of conduct